Sometimes when witnessing I’m asked what the term “Born Again” means. Sadly, many think it refers to some kind of a cult, others assume it refers to some sort of strange feeling or experience. Both assumptions are wrong.

When explaining what Born Again means, first, point out that this is not a term that we have made up. In John chapter 3, Jesus said we must be born again.[1] Furthermore, the apostle Paul, Peter, James and John all refer to the necessity of the new birth.[2] Once you’ve establish the source of the phrase “Born Again”, here is an easy way to explain what it means.

We were all born once physically. But because mankind sinned against God, we died spiritually and will ultimately die physically. The Bible says that the penalty for sin is death – both physical death and spiritual death. The good news is that Jesus died in our place. He paid the full penalty for our sins. He was our substitute on the cross. All who place their trust in Him are born again. That is, their spirit is made alive. Our sins separate us from God – this is spiritual death.[3] But when we place our trust in Jesus, our spirit is made alive. God’s Holy Spirit now resides in us and we are brought back into communion with God. Believers will now live forever with Jesus. We were born physically once, and by faith in Christ we are born again in the Spirit.